A police spokesman said the Armed Offenders Squad was deployed as a precaution while officers followed up on information about the possible location of a person of interest.
However, officers did not locate the person, the spokeswoman said.
About eight officers including members of the Armed Offenders Squad, a dog team and local officers could be seen in a cul de sac off College St .
A group of people standing near the officers said they were not involved but had been in the building when the Armed Offenders Squad was deployed.
One officer was wearing a forensics suit.
Another officer from the Armed Offenders Squad was stationed near a police car Milner Park close to Waitaki Boys High School.
The units were stood down early afternoon.
- additional reporting Jules Chin
